Shanghai, China: 26-29 November 2023
The Delong International Forum for Public Health, hosted by the School of Public Health at Fudan University and its Global Health Institute, took place from 26 to 29 November 2023 in Shanghai, China. This annual forum, named in honour of Professor Su Delong, the founding dean of Fudan University’s School of Public Health, continues to serve as a platform for academic exchange and international collaboration rooted in the mission to “serve the population.”
Advancing Global Dialogue in Public Health Education
This year’s forum brought together public health educators, researchers, and institutional leaders from across Asia, Africa, and other global regions to discuss the evolving landscape of public health education. The discussions centred on the need for innovation, equity, and resilience in educational systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), to better respond to global health challenges.
A key milestone was the proposal to establish the South-South Public Health Education Network (SSPHEN). The initiative aims to foster deeper academic cooperation, enhance access to quality education, and promote shared solutions through:
- Interdisciplinary and practice-based learning
- Leadership development in global health
- Integration of sustainability and health system resilience
- Promotion of equity in education and health
- Adoption of digital innovation and ethical use of data
- Facilitated exchange through joint research and curriculum development
Malaysian Perspective: Contribution from Prof Victor CW Hoe
Among the international participants, Professor Dr Victor CW Hoe from the University of Malaya was invited to share his views on innovation in public health education. Drawing on Malaysia’s experience, he highlighted blended teaching strategies, including hybrid learning, gamification, and community-based projects. These approaches were used to maintain engagement and real-world relevance during the pandemic and beyond and align with broader goals of inclusive, technology-enhanced, and outcome-driven education.
Learning Beyond the Lecture Hall
In addition to formal sessions and roundtables, the forum provided opportunities for delegates to observe health service delivery in practice. This included a visit to the Songjiang District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, where participants explored emergency command systems and health surveillance operations.
The delegation also visited the Zhongshan Subdistrict Community Health Service Centre in Songjiang, which integrates general community health services with a dedicated Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Hall. This provided participants with a unique view of how conventional and traditional health approaches are co-delivered within the community setting, reinforcing the value of culturally integrated care models.
Looking Ahead
The 2023 Delong Forum underscored the need for continued international cooperation to strengthen public health education, with a shared commitment to equity, innovation, and practical relevance. The proposal for SSPHEN offers a promising framework for advancing these goals through sustained South-South collaboration.
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